Chris Perry of Estune Lodge No. 6817 in Somerset, in partnership with Nailsea School where he is operations manager, and head teacher Dionne Elliot, is manufacturing Face Shields using the school's 3D printers

A 3D Printer works by extruding a thin filament of material through a small bore “heated” nozzle to create a very thin 2D shape on a flat bed, it then overlays this with further thin layers 1 at a time under computer control to create complex 3 dimensional shapes. The Face Shield is to help protect the wearer from the coronavirus entering the body via droplets splashing on to the face.

Chris was also delighted to be awarded a £1,000 grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), the Freemasons' charity, which will be used for the on-going purchase and replacement of materials. To date around 160 have been made.

Chris said: 'We can produce around 14 shields a day and are distributing them to local doctors surgeries and care homes. We gave six to the local Police and 20 to Cadogan Court Masonic Care Home at Exeter which were delivered by Harry Blinston, a member of the Widows Sons motorcycle club – on his motorbike, much to the delight of the residents.

'Then, out of the blue, I received a telephone call from John Walker, a member of Halas Abbey Lodge in Worcester. He had seen a picture of one of our Face Shields on a Masonic forum and asked if we could help out his daughter Vicki who manages a Care Home in Derby. They had been unable source any PPE of this type and of course we were pleased to help.'

John then takes up the story: 'Two days after speaking with Chris, Vicki phoned to tell us the Face Shields had been delivered and she was absolutely delighted that her staff and residents were safe and protected. I cannot thank Chris Perry and Mrs Elliot enough. My wife and I are now able to sleep at night knowing my daughter is safe.

'This outstanding act is an example of the very principles of our wonderful Masonic Fraternity.'